Super Eagles Get World Cup Hope Alive as FIFA Punishes South Africa Over Player Scandal
- Bafana Bafana's quest for a 2026 World Cup qualification has suffered a huge setback as FIFA hits SAFA with sanctions
- The FIFA disciplinary committee found the country's football association guilty of fielding an ineligible player in the qualifiers
- Consequently, they have forfeited the match in question as Bafana Bafana lose three points and three goals
South Africa's quest for the 2026 World Cup ticket has suffered a huge blow after the FIFA disciplinary committee sanctioned the team for fielding an ineligible player in the qualifiers.
Teboho Mokoena, who had received yellow cards in two previous matches, was in the starting lineup as South Africa defeated Lesotho 2-0 on March 21.
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder should have observed a one-match suspension, but he was in action against the Crocodiles, thereby breaching article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations.
Source: Getty Images
In a statement on Monday, September 29, the world's football governing body announced that South Africa have forfeited the match by a three-goal scoreline.
The statement reads via the official website:
"Consequently, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has declared the match in question to have been forfeited by the representative team of South Africa by a score of 3-0.
"SAFA has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 to FIFA, while Teboho Mokoena has been issued with a warning.
"The parties were notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision today. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FDC, they have ten days in which to request a motivated decision, which, if requested, would subsequently be published on legal.fifa.com. The forfeiture decision remains subject to a potential appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee."
Benin go top of CAF qualification group C
As a result, the Benin Republic are now top of the group ahead of the final phase of the qualification series, per Africa Soccer.
Although they have 14 points like South Africa, the Cheetahs occupy the top position with a better goal difference.
The revised group standings show - Benin on 14 (+4); South Africa on 14 (+3), Nigeria on 11 (+2), Rwanda on 11 (0), Lesotho on 9 (-3) and Zimbabwe on 4 (-6).
Source: Getty Images
The final phase of the World Cup qualifiers is scheduled for October, when the group will be decided.
Only the top team in the group will pick an automatic ticket to the global showpiece, while the second-place team in the group could have a chance via inter-confederation play-offs.
Super Eagles to get new home?
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Super Eagles could be set to play in a new home stadium as they aim to move past two consecutive FIFA World Cup qualifying disappointments linked to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
At the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) 2025 Annual General Assembly in Ibadan, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde called on the federation to consider hosting future Super Eagles matches in Ibadan.
Source: Legit.ng
